MELBOURNE BROTHEL LICENCE SUSPENDED

21 August 2003

SEX SLAVERY BROTHEL LICENCE SUSPENDED

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) today indefinitely suspended the brothel licence held by Wei Tang following an application made by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV).

"This action was taken in the public interest after Tang had been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with 'sex slavery' offences," Dr Cousins, the Director of CAV said.

Paul Pick, the manager of the brothel, had his Manager's Approval status suspended.

"The allegations raised issues of exploitation of sex workers as well as issues of community health risks. Consumer Affairs Victoria acted quickly to have VCAT inquire into the allegations and make a decision," Dr Cousins said.

The suspensions remains in force until the Commonwealth's case against the brothel is concluded. Any licensed person convicted of serious indictable offences will be subject to further disciplinary application in VCAT.

On 30 May 2003, Commonwealth authorities raided the licensed brothel known as Club 417, of Brunswick Street Fitzroy, and detained five illegal workers. These workers provided information to the authorities who were then able to lay charges of sex slavery offences.

In this matter Consumer Affairs Victoria has liaised with the AFP and Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

This liaison is continuing and Consumer Affairs Victoria investigators today were present during a raid by the Department of Immigration on a licensed brothel in West Footscray. The raid resulted from Immigration officials' concerns that illegal foreign workers were employed at the brothel. CAV officers conducted an audit of the brothel for compliance with the Prostitution Control Act.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS Victoria